Your Future In Restaurants Starts Here

We are dedicated to changing lives and uplifting communities.

The Educational Foundation empowers people from all backgrounds with the training and education they need to secure a better future.

We do this through the vast opportunities offered in the restaurant, foodservice and hospitality industry.

The NEW ProStart® Virtual Lounge is Live!

The ProStart Virtual Lounge, powered by Coca-Cola, is a new interactive networking site for the national ProStart community, including current and former students, educators, state coordinators, and mentors from the restaurant and foodservice industry.

The Virtual Lounge is a great place to chat with other students from across the country, track progress on individual goals, and check out exclusive culinary demos, tutorials, and enter contests that are only open to members of the ProStart community.

When students register for a free account now through mid October, they will automatically be entered for drawings to win amazing prizes.

The Student Lounge is also a great place to meet students before competing together in local, state, and national competitions.

REGISTER TODAY!

HOPES Re-entry Program Expansion

HOPES participants Industry Skills Tour with MOD Pizza

Our HOPES (Hospitality Opportunities for People (re)Entering Society) program is expanding! The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded the NRAEF a $4 million grant to continue our efforts to train justice-involved individuals for jobs and careers in the restaurant industry through HOPES. With these funds, we will be launching new HOPES sites in four states: Delaware, Michigan, Ohio, and Texas.

Restaurants Advance!

With support from Constellation Brands, we have launched a new national fundraising initiative to help current and future restaurant workers access the education and training they need to put their job or career back on track.

LEARN MORE

100% of every dollar donated supports the NRAEF's mission to empower and advance today’s and tomorrow’s restaurant workers. The work of the NRAEF includes offering scholarships to anyone building a future in restaurants; helping our military transition into the industry; providing apprenticeships and building pathways to independence for justice-involved youth through job skills training and mentoring.

NRAEF News

Future Restaurant Leaders Cook-Up Careers at the New ProStart Virtual Lounge

National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation and The Coca-Cola Company have launched a new networking site for 130,000 ProStart students to exchange ideas, learn from alumni and the pros, and explore opportunities in the restaurant and foodservice industry.

Read the press release

USDOL Awards "HOPES" Reentry Program $4M to Train Justice-Involved Individuals for Jobs and Careers in the Restaurant Industry

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has awarded the HOPES (Hospitality Opportunities for People (re)Entering Society) program $4 million, which NRAEF will use to launch HOPES sites in four new states: Delaware, Michigan, Ohio, and Texas.

Read the Press Release

Six NRAEF Scholarship Recipients to be Awarded $25,000 on Guy’s Restaurant Reboot

On June 12th, tune in to Guy's Restaurant Reboot, a primetime special hosted by Guy Fieri. Guy’s Restaurant Reboot will provide guidance and inspiration to the next generation of restaurant owners as well as $300,000 in bottom-line financial support via the "Help Rebuild Restaurants Grant." Created in partnership between Guy Fieri, NRAEF, and the California Restaurant Foundation, the scholarships and grants will be distributed to 11 winners–six NRAEF Scholars and five California restaurateurs–live on the show.

Learn More & Watch The Livestream on 6/12

Select the best option for you:

New to the restaurant industry Currently in the restaurant industry Educators or Instructors Military Employers

Advance your career with education, training and certifications.

Scholarships

Since 1987, we’ve helped nearly 2,000 students with merit-based undergraduate scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $10,000.

View Scholarships

Apprenticeships

Come join the first-ever apprenticeship program developed specifically for restaurant, food service, and hospitality.

Find Out How

Certifications

Whether you want to get ServSafe certified or become a Certified Secondary Foodservice Educator, we have you covered.

Educator Certification

Be A Changemaker

Support our mission to feed dreams and build futures in the restaurant, foodservice and hospitality industry. 100% of every dollar you donate will directly support the mission of the Foundation.

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